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Much at stake in fight against opioids

President Barack Obama proclaimed this week Prescription Opioid and Heroin Epidemic Awareness Week. The White House hosted a group of parents who have lost children, Attorney General Loretta Lynch held a student town hall and there was talk about policy, prevention and where we go from here. Perhaps what’s most important is that we’re finally talking in public, with our friends and neighbors, about a growing problem that has secretly touched so many of our lives.

President Barack Obama proclaimed this week Prescription Opioid and Heroin Epidemic Awareness Week.The White House hosted a group of parents who have lost children, Attorney General Loretta Lynch held a student town hall and there was talk about policy, prevention and where we go from here.Perhaps what’s most important is that we’re finally talking in public, with our friends and neighbors, about a growing problem that has secretly touched so many of our lives.The numbers are staggering. Overdose deaths in Maryland soared 40 percent between 2006 and 2014. More than 7,000 people lost their lives, most of those deaths were traced to abuse of prescription opioids and heroin.A study by the Associated Press and Center for Public Integrity found Maryland pharmacies filled close to 4 million opioid prescriptions last year.Gov. Larry Hogan and state lawmakers have pitched reform, and drug companies have responded by sending more than 40 lobbyists to Annapolis last year -- that’s more than the gun lobby that we all hear so much about.Clearly, there is a lot at stake.WBAL-TV and our parent company, Hearst Television, are joining forces with broadcasters from all over the country to help bring light to this issue, to educate the public and highlight programs that are working.We hope you’ll join in on this important conversation.Get the WBAL-TV News App

The White House hosted a group of parents who have lost children, Attorney General Loretta Lynch held a student town hall and there was talk about policy, prevention and where we go from here.

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Perhaps what’s most important is that we’re finally talking in public, with our friends and neighbors, about a growing problem that has secretly touched so many of our lives.

The numbers are staggering. Overdose deaths in Maryland soared 40 percent between 2006 and 2014. More than 7,000 people lost their lives, most of those deaths were traced to abuse of prescription opioids and heroin.

A study by the Associated Press and Center for Public Integrity found Maryland pharmacies filled close to 4 million opioid prescriptions last year.

Gov. Larry Hogan and state lawmakers have pitched reform, and drug companies have responded by sending more than 40 lobbyists to Annapolis last year -- that’s more than the gun lobby that we all hear so much about.